Linda McMahon Honors Four Female Entrepreneurs

WWE co-founder says strong women take risks

Linda McMahon, co-founder and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment joined local women at Safavieh Home Furnishings in Stamford Thursday night to celebrate woman in entrepreneurship.

The Women's History Event "Ladies Making History" co-sponsored by Ladies Who Launch of Southwestern Connecticut and Unleash Your Voice, honored the contributions of four women whose innovative ideas helped grow their businesses.

"We know that if we support women entrepreneurs, not only do they better themselves, but they also better the community and frankly, they better the economy in general. So it's critical that we find ways to do it," said managing director of Ladies who Launch Kathy McShane.

"Small businesses are the backbone of not only our national economy, our state economy and our community economy and if we have small, strong businesses in our communities, our communities will grow and flourish," said McMahon. "Women make grant entrepreneurs, as a matter of fact, stats show that women businesses have a stronger success rate that all other businesses."

Honorees were awarded $4,000 in grants from The Vince and Linda McMahon Family foundation.

"It was independently scored by three judges and the highest score won."

Those who were honored say starting a business has always involved risks.

"I've always been a risk taker," said Guapa Films Founder Katherine Dickson. "As an actor, that's part of my job, to take a character, mold it into what the character is and put it out there."

"The best thing about trying is that you can succeed. Sometimes you may fail, but just dust yourself off and get back up. I've been there, I've been bankrupt, I had to comeback and do it all over again, but it can be done. Stick to it and go for it because we need women in the business world and we need women entrepreneurs."